JC Solid Waste District Funding: Now What?

The mill levy for the Johnson County Solid Waste District passed on a nearly two-to-one margin at the Nov. 2 General Election. But what exactly does that mean? Aaron Palmer, Johnson County News Director for Sheridan Media has the story.

Why the need for a mill levy in the first place and what happens now that the funding is in place? Johnson County Landfill Manager Doug Shimic explains why the funding was needed.

Shimic said the Solid Waste District purchased 80 acres just north of the existing facility a few years ago in anticipation of the need for the new facility. The cost of closing the old landfill and opening the new facility is estimated at $3 to $4 million, depending on construction costs, he said.

Shimic said there had been discussions between communities in Northern Wyoming about consolidating garbage disposal, but in the long run it was determined to be in the best interest of Buffalo and Johnson County residents to continue operating their own facility.

Shimic said the permitting process from the Department of Environmental Quality has already begun for the new facility and should take about two years to complete. Once the permits are in hand, he said construction of the new facility should take about a year.

Shimic said if the levy had not passed, county residents would have faced increases in rates double the current rates. The mill levy passed by voters will have a shelf life of ten years before the new landfill is paid for.

From the Johnson County News Desk, I'm Aaron Palmer with sheridanmedia.com news.

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